Assuming no injuries, PSU can start Davis/Nagao, redshirt Blaze, Ono and Duke and still win the NC without any real competition. Doing so would add an extra year of firepower as OK St continues its development as a future NC contender. Next year, send Mesenbrink to 74 and it opens up the lineup for Duke/Kasak to start at 57/65.
'25-'26 PSU Lineup Predictions thread
- Thread starter derks
- Start date
To my understanding, it’s likely that PJD will outgrow 157 in short order, so he may get this year there while TK redshirts, then PJD redshirts the next season before returning at 165 after MM is out of eligibility… TK will return at 157, which is already two weight classes over his projected freshman weight.
I doubt MM is going to go to 174 unless 165 becomes too tough of a cut for him to hold. Mitch's eyes should be on Olympic gold, so I'd think he'd want to maintain as close to 74 kgs as possible.
My prediction for the lineup:
125 Lilledahl
133 Blaze
141 Ono
149 SVN
157 Kasak
165 MM
174 Levi
184 Rocco
197 Barr
HWT Cole
Obviously, it's difficult to fathom a lineup that guys like Duke, Sealey, Davis, Nagao, and Conner can't make so I won't be surprised if any of those guys are eventually in, but someone has to be left out when there are at least 16 AA or title contenders on the roster and only 10 lineup spots. I think they will eventually convinced Duke to RS, and I think Ono will want to wrestle and neither Nagao nor Davis will keep him out of the lineup.
125 Lilledahl
133 Blaze
141 Ono
149 SVN
157 Kasak
165 MM
174 Levi
184 Rocco
197 Barr
HWT Cole
Obviously, it's difficult to fathom a lineup that guys like Duke, Sealey, Davis, Nagao, and Conner can't make so I won't be surprised if any of those guys are eventually in, but someone has to be left out when there are at least 16 AA or title contenders on the roster and only 10 lineup spots. I think they will eventually convinced Duke to RS, and I think Ono will want to wrestle and neither Nagao nor Davis will keep him out of the lineup.
Duke has to go this year...
There's just no way he's making 157 a year from now.
I think this is sound logic (with the caveat that I don't subscribe to the theory that PJ beating Kasak is a given. Not implying that you implied as much).
I doubt that they would PUSH them out…just preparing to backfill if they leave because they both can't start.
I was under the impression it would be best for PJ to go this year with Kasak shirting and take next year off preparing for the Olympics and getting his weight set for that run at gold. And get Cassar in that room feeding Mirasola his diet.
What an exciting problem to have. More than 10 guys who are all good enough to AA and only 10 starting spots. Well that sure takes care of our need for 8 scoring wrestlers to win the NCAA tournament.
Next question: Can we top 180 points this coming season?
Next question: Can we top 180 points this coming season?
Really 9 guys who are legit title contenders and one more (Cole) who has it in him, too, will be the starting lineup no matter who ultimately goes. Gonna be a fun season.
Last year at this time Mitch was as big as Levi, 180#, and I could see 165 becoming a bit of a PIA cut.
Lol There are two former champs, two former finalists, 3 guys who have finished 3rd, a senior level world champ, then filling in with age level world champs and medalists. I don't think I said anything outlandish.
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That made me laugh, but the prediction is pretty close. I won't predict champs but this lineup is mind bogglingly strong
125 Lilledahl - finalist
133 Blaze - finalist
141 Ono - finalist
149 SVN - finalist
157 Kasak - finalist
165 MM - finalist
174 Levi - finalist
184 Rocco - top 4
197 Barr - finalist
HWT Cole -top 5-8
That made me laugh, but the prediction is pretty close. I won't predict champs but this lineup is mind bogglingly strong
125 Lilledahl - finalist
133 Blaze - finalist
141 Ono - finalist
149 SVN - finalist
157 Kasak - finalist
165 MM - finalist
174 Levi - finalist
184 Rocco - top 4
197 Barr - finalist
HWT Cole -top 5-8
How about:
2025/26
Duke 157
Kasak RS
Mes 165
Haines 174
Henckel RS
Welsh 184
Mirasola ?
Barr 197
26/27
Kasak 157
Duke RS
Mes 165
James RS
Henckel 174
Welsh 184
Mirasola ?
Barr 197
27/28
Duke Olympic RS
Kasak 157
James 165
Henckel 174
Welsh 184
Mirasola ORS
Barr 197
28/29
? 157
James 165/174
Duke 165/174
Henckel 184
Mirasola 197
(Unless Lemonpie's wish for Conner to move down and displace Welsh comes true, I don't see how he's going to fit without losing 2 years of eligibility. And does Asher ever crack the lineup?)
2025/26
Duke 157
Kasak RS
Mes 165
Haines 174
Henckel RS
Welsh 184
Mirasola ?
Barr 197
26/27
Kasak 157
Duke RS
Mes 165
James RS
Henckel 174
Welsh 184
Mirasola ?
Barr 197
27/28
Duke Olympic RS
Kasak 157
James 165
Henckel 174
Welsh 184
Mirasola ORS
Barr 197
28/29
? 157
James 165/174
Duke 165/174
Henckel 184
Mirasola 197
(Unless Lemonpie's wish for Conner to move down and displace Welsh comes true, I don't see how he's going to fit without losing 2 years of eligibility. And does Asher ever crack the lineup?)
It is interesting to me that SVN is ranked so high here. I look at him as not being elite in any area other than pace. I willing to change my opinion with the right evidence, but I just don't think he is great in any of the three positions. His pace and conditioning coupled with his volume usually gets him to the win but what is "super power" beyond that?
I am not a huge fan of wrestlers dropping a weight class. A severe cut for 90% of elite guys eventually proves counter productive and we have oodles of examples where going up delivers a better benefit.
That said the two Mirasolas present opportunities and challenges.
My own thinking is Conner while improving, (so too is Barr) I don't see that gap with Josh closing.
I think it was generally accepted two years ago that Conner was a better wrestler than Cole, yet Cole took that as an opportunity to move up and target the roster gap at heavy. Short of Ross or another elite portal-in, Cole is our heavy for a few years.
So what happens with Conner? He could go up and I think in time likely displace his brother at heavy, or could he go down to 184?
In concept he is thick enough physically at 197 to do it, but that's a big 13 lbs, and word has it that he walks around closer to 210 or more. I think this results in too big of a cut to be a top 4 guy with sufficient gas tank to take on Henkle let alone the rest of that 184 field, but that's just me.
In short I don't have a great answer for Conner despite him being the more talented brother.
A bit of a both good and bad problem to have. Both brothers love the program but there is no substitute for competition. If in time Conner decides to portal will Cole follow as a package deal? I am sure Cael is all over every possible scenario, and we know he is still courting Ross, strongly. Hmmm
That said the two Mirasolas present opportunities and challenges.
My own thinking is Conner while improving, (so too is Barr) I don't see that gap with Josh closing.
I think it was generally accepted two years ago that Conner was a better wrestler than Cole, yet Cole took that as an opportunity to move up and target the roster gap at heavy. Short of Ross or another elite portal-in, Cole is our heavy for a few years.
So what happens with Conner? He could go up and I think in time likely displace his brother at heavy, or could he go down to 184?
In concept he is thick enough physically at 197 to do it, but that's a big 13 lbs, and word has it that he walks around closer to 210 or more. I think this results in too big of a cut to be a top 4 guy with sufficient gas tank to take on Henkle let alone the rest of that 184 field, but that's just me.
In short I don't have a great answer for Conner despite him being the more talented brother.
A bit of a both good and bad problem to have. Both brothers love the program but there is no substitute for competition. If in time Conner decides to portal will Cole follow as a package deal? I am sure Cael is all over every possible scenario, and we know he is still courting Ross, strongly. Hmmm
I am not a huge fan of wrestlers dropping a weight class. A severe cut for 90% of elite guys eventually proves counter productive and we have oodles of examples where going up delivers a better benefit.
That said the two Mirasolas present opportunities and challenges.
My own thinking is Conner while improving, (so too is Barr) I don't see that gap with Josh closing.
I think it was generally accepted two years ago that Conner was a better wrestler than Cole, yet Cole took that as an opportunity to move up and target the roster gap at heavy. Short of Ross or another elite portal-in, Cole is our heavy for a few years.
So what happens with Conner? He could go up and I think in time likely displace his brother at heavy, or could he go down to 184?
In concept he is thick enough physically at 197 to do it, but that's a big 13 lbs, and word has it that he walks around closer to 210 or more. I think this results in too big of a cut to be a top 4 guy with sufficient gas tank to take on Henkle let alone the rest of that 184 field, but that's just me.
In short I don't have a great answer for Conner despite him being the more talented brother.
A bit of a both good and bad problem to have. Both brothers love the program but there is no substitute for competition. If in time Conner decides to portal will Cole follow as a package deal? I am sure Cael is all over every possible scenario, and we know he is still courting Ross, strongly. Hmmm
I envision both of them staying at Penn State and sharing the weight.
Nice forecast, but keep in mind that any list you present that has less than 8 scoring wrestlers indicates a potential season where we might not win.
So, five years of Ono? Regardless, someone, please explain to me why Ono might only get one or two years while Steveson got six. Last I heard, the coaching staff was working on getting Ono four.
The thought of Ono taking 4 years of Folk doesn't make complete sense. As one of the P4P best Freestylers in the world, I can get his enjoying a dose of Folk to round out his skills, learn the American way of training, kick some folk *** for a year or two, learn English, maybe even aspire for a degree; but in all likelihood, one would think he has to return to full time freestyle training back in Japan no more than two years from now. The legend that he will become in Freestyle is still in its early stages.
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If there are 10 lineup options, I hope they pick the one that shuts out Iowa in the regular season dual, and then sets the record for most individual titles, and breaks the team scoring record again.
Ono is only visiting the USA. I very much doubt he wants to sit for a year. By next April he will be back in Matsue City.
Where do you come to this conclusion?? Seems like a lot of moving pieces for one year. I don’t think coaches would be bothering with additional eligibility if that were the case
By his own admission, PJ hasn't focused on Folk in a long time. He is a transcendent recruit, where it is not entirely insane to think he has the potential to go undefeated during his collegiate career especially after a redshirt year.
I don't think it is absurd to see Kasak simply win a wrestleoff this fall. Especially, given PJ will remain freestyle focused for another couple of months. Beating the very best in the country in all three positions as a true freshman in November, after focusing on Freestyle isn't a given.
I seem to be in the minority to think redshirting PJ is the better of options this year regardless of where he and Kasak stack up in a competition for the slot.
A valid question for next year is can PJ still hold at 157? If so, then have the wrestleoff again, I think PJ beats Kasak, and Tyler then takes his redshirt. That sets up an easy peasy Kasak 157, PJ 165 in 2027/28.
If however, after a redshirt, PJ can't make 157 next year. Ok, I'll bite. After a year in the room, could he take out a then Hodge trophy 2x national champ MM? God forbid, I wouldn't bet against it. Never forget PJ is a unicorn, ok, so too is MM. Who's horn is longer? Get out the micrometer. I think I lean John Wayne.
Basch interviewed the twins and both said they would not transfer.
Ryder probably said the same thing until Rocco showed up.
Dreshaun. OSU verbal only so far I believe. Many claims on this board that Cael continues to pursue him.
If Henckel can stay at 174, Miller would fit nicely at 184 or vice versa. Bassett at 149. I don't think Bartlett fits in the lineup anymore.